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Segway Revolutionizes Polo

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the horses-are-so-yesterday dept.

Mirkon writes "The Register is carrying a story on an example of how technology is making sports better: Segway Polo. The San Francisco Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group has instructions on how to build a mallet (PDF), and a video clip of Segway Polo in action (MOV). A revolutionary device, indeed."

11 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. Well at least it's doing something! by Stevyn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This was really a good example of a toy with no practical future. I, like many others, were excited about the buildup and then it's debut. I'd say the cost definately prevented it's adoption.

    It's funny to see it revolutionize polo though, I don't remember that in the things Kamen promised it would revolutionize.

    1. Re:Well at least it's doing something! by selderrr · · Score: 4, Insightful

      segway contains practically only comodity hardware. Nothing fancy in it, no rare materials. The cost of a segway are due to research & the fact that they are manfactured in low quantities. About exactly the problems the computer industry had 20 years ago.

      There is no reason at all for the segway to remain this expensive for a long time, unless the company wants to keep its elite status. But unfortunately, there is no telling when the price will drop

      --
      When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
    2. Re:Well at least it's doing something! by blancolioni · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Does it have a price point for mass adoption? It's heavier and slower than a bicycle, with less range and carrying capacity. I don't imagine that it will ever compete with a bicyle on price either.

  2. point of view... by selderrr · · Score: 3, Insightful

    kinda funny : the tone of the register was rather mocking, considering the segway drivers a bunch of rich-asses with to much time on their hands, and the segway a silly, expensive toy that never could deliver what was promised.

    On /., it becomes a revolutionary device that makes sports better.

    Probably, the submitter intended irony, but failed to convince

    --
    When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
    1. Re:point of view... by the_twisted_pair · · Score: 4, Insightful
      It's a funny way to revolutionise polo - by making it happen at about 1/4 the speed. Sounds more like hockey-for-teletubbies. Now I've no great interest and haven't played the real thing, but it sure as hell looks fast, brutal and exciting.

      If this is 'revolutionising' a sport I think I'll start quarter-miling my old pedal-car.

    2. Re:point of view... by selderrr · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Segway isn't oriented towards the same market segment as a bicycle. They deliberately keep the thing expensive to make it a status symbol. If you compare a $100.000 rolex to a $5 plastic watch, you'll find they both display time within an acceptable measure of accuracy. Why do dorks buy a rolex ? Status symbol.

      The same holds for ferrari and other luxury cars. Apart from race circuits and some highways in Germany, there are few places in the world where you can do 250mph. Yet they buy these fuel-suckers and pay $20.000 a year in taxes and insurance. Why ? Status symbol.

      From this point of view, seqway is doing amazingly well.

      --
      When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
    3. Re:point of view... by misterpies · · Score: 3, Insightful



      Come on guys, anyone who uses "Segway" and "status symbol" in the same sentence deserves to be modded funny. I can just imagine it now... hordes of Armani-clad, rolex-wearing film stars segwaying down the red carpet at the premier of the next big blockbuster. Or - no, even better - a girl dumping her ferrari-driving boyfriend for that stylish guy with two-wheels and a skating helmet.

      Man, what planet are you on? Ferraris and rolexes are status symbols because they ooze style and exclusivity. A Segway is just proof of laziness.

      --
      The author of this post asserts his moral rights.
  3. Life imitates art... by Drasil · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sound familiar?

    Reading the whole book is recommended, but for those that don't...

    "Strange," mused the Director, as they turned away, "strange to think that even in Our Ford's day most games were played without more apparatus than a ball or two and a few sticks and perhaps a bit of netting. imagine the folly of allowing people to play elaborate games which do nothing whatever to increase consumption. It's madness. Nowadays the Controllers won't approve of any new game unless it can be shown that it requires at least as much apparatus as the most complicated of existing games." He interrupted himself.
  4. Revolution in polo... by chattycathy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Doesn't the fact that 'revolutionizes polo' is in the topic let us know that it's useless? I mean if that's the best you have...

    At least horses can do other tricks. They're darn pretty, too.

    --
    I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!
  5. Re:Finally by Oligonicella · · Score: 4, Insightful

    From the article:
    "The machine's creator, Dean Kamen, wants to see US Special Forces troops eventually ride Segways into battle."

    What a self-serving assh*le. The things only do a couple mph and can't even navigate dirt, let along rough terrain.

  6. My take on the Segway by mabu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's just my opinion, but I think the Segway is a great metaphor for the 21st century American. Its introduction was preceeded by a plethora of sensationalism about how it was going to "change the world", and then it turned out to be only mildly interesting, yet profoundly impractical, expensive, buggy and high maintenance. This of course, didn't stop some people from plunking down five grand for this vanity-driven embarassement of a vehicle, who now desperately seek to find realistic use or justification for their decision.

    The Segway epitomizes the concept of the consumer economy, not unlike the Hummer. A piece of vanity equipment whose ultimate underlying purpose is to project the owner's own sense of insecurity upon others.

    This is the legacy of the baby boomers in America. In their quest to prove to others (as well as themselves) that money and materialism = happiness, they've perfected this growing trend of high-end vanity-oriented accessories. I hope it works out for 'em.